California dog owners held strictly liable for attacks

Dog Bites & Injuries,Our Blog | September 2, 2014

Many of us are dog lovers and enjoy the loyal companionship of our four-legged family members. However, not all dogs are loyal and well-behaved. In fact, many people in California and the rest of the country are injured because of dog attacks each year.

If you or your child has been injured by a dog, you are doing everyone else in the area a favor by reporting the incident. Additionally, filing a claim against the dog owner can help you pay for the expensive medical bills you may have incurred as a result of the attack.

In order to hold the dog owner accountable after the incident, it’s important to think on your feet. That means remembering to get the name and address of the dog owner as well as other information including the dog’s shot records and whether the dog owner has homeowner’s insurance.

Typically, it’s homeowner’s insurance that covers the damages relating to dog attacks. That means you usually won’t be seeking money from the dog owner directly. But it also means that lawyers for the insurance company will often vigorously fight the claim.

For this reason, California victims of dog attacks benefit from having an experienced personal injury lawyer on their side to help get them the settlement they are entitled to, which may include compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Under California law, dog owners are held strictly liable for the harm caused by the dog bite, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the incident. Typically, plaintiffs need to prove negligence in injury cases, but that is not necessary in dog bite cases.

For more information on how our firm handles dog bite cases in California, please visit our Sacramento Dog Bite Attorney page.